Central Washington University - Hyakem / Kooltuo Yearbook (Ellensburg, WA)

Page 15 text:

A Popular Fallacy An Address Made to the Student Assembly by Dr. J, P. Munson. Perhaps no idea in modern times is more universally accepted as true than this, that man owe his greatness to specialization of education, industry and trade. Con¬ centration or effort, practical education now recommended on every hand, these are but different forms or the same idea. While specialization in the past, though by no means Invariably, has led to great achievements, the effects of our present blind adher¬ ence to It bear unmistakable evidence that it is at most partially true. Consult philosophy and its history and the evil effects of this maxim is at once seen. Minds, biased by long study of matter, have reached the conclusion that every¬ thing is matter, that thoughts are the secretions of the brain On the other hand, those confined to the contemplation of mind alone have revealed the conclusion that everything is mind. The one. seeing through the microscope, perceives but the man¬ ifestation of physical forces; the other, the closing his eyes to the light of day. sees but the shadows of hi own thoughts; the one, presuming to know everything; the other denying the validity of any knowledge. These two systems arc but complements of each other; each the result of powers usurped anil powers Ignored. Such is the oracle to which we look for support ro our hopes, and for a defence of our most sacred convictions. But while a loo close application to a single line of thought leads to this miserable philosophising, it is not in the airy realms or metaphysical speculation that the evil effects of this maxim are most plainly seen. We perceive in it but the remote center, whenee radiate the many farces that are shaping our social, industrial, political and educational institutions. What is all this talk about useless and ornamental education, this constant advo- cacy of practical knowledge. There is scarcely a county school superintendent in this broad land who does not insist on the importance of practical Instruction. Even our colleges urge the necessity of pursuing special lines of study, often before the student has mastered the rudiments of a liberal education; and. as if an early bias of mind were worthy of special commendation, they crown the successful suppression of God- glvrn powers with special honors. How can n expect freedom of thought from such parsimonious provisions far Its growth and development? Scarcely is a student thrown into the Btream or active life, before he drifts along its current toward that single object, the nearest cataract. Thousands of men in our manufacturing establishments have been engaged In the manufacture of boot-tops, who are still unable to make a complete boot. Yet It seems that this niUBt be encouraged; we say ’tls thus the world advances; the times need practical men; men who know but one trade and know It well men who are willing to he ignorant of all else. In order that they may know one thing well. With all due respect for the labors of Kant, the secluded drudgery of Watt; the perseverance of Stevenson; or the achievements of Napoleon we can but deplore our fate, if so little of the world is open to our enjoyment, if this la the acme of our pow- Is Ilia a dream ii ed. The Immortal Bacon and Cicero will remain forever enviable, historical curiosities. No more Washingtons will lead us on to victory: no more Websters inspire us with wisdom and eloquence. No, ’tis not bo I The human mind is not t Iris powder, which concentrated at a single point, cleaves the rock and vanishes; its many powers are not this exuberant vegetation which must be uprooted in order that a favored few may gain strength and prosper. The universe is its workshop, the earth, the air, the heavens, Its lessons. Neither matter nor mind, neither the finite nor the infinite, can escape its normal scru¬ tiny. In this is ample acope for all our powers; and it Is only by the exercise of all our powers, that we can extract from them the nectar on which alone the soul sub¬ sists With mind unimpaired by disguise; unhampered by prejudice; working freely under self-involved law. we gather from this sublime environment, solace to our sor¬ rows. composure to our fears, an ' d wisdom to our ignorance. When we return weary from the workshop, the field, or the market, the lillies greet us by the wayside; the brdi-o-link and the robins warble in the treetops; we see green meadowB and waving wheal fields stretching out before us: the distant clouds blushing from the farewell kisses or the setting sun. A new tire swells within ua, and heats responsive to new im¬ pulses: the weariness of toil Is lessened: the gloom of poverty and the cares oT wealth alike vanish: and we breathe anew the healing breath of truth, beauty and love.